In the Gospel of John, Jesus continues to demonstrate his consistency as God with the next I AM statement. In John 10:7-10, he tells us, Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
This identification of Jesus is filled with important imagery. To understand all that is being taught, we need a mental picture of a first century sheep fold. These enclosures were normally made of stacked stone that was high enough that a predatory animal could not leap over. They were often built with just three sides, backing up to a cliff face that would make up the fourth side. On one of the exposed sides there would be a gap left in the wall for the gate. It was through this gate that the sheep would enter and leave. This gate was also the most vulnerable spot for the attack of predators or thieves.
For this reason, the gate used to close off the sheep pen was the most important aspect of its security. Here is where it gets interesting. These gates were not made of stone or of solid wood that was sturdy enough to stand up to attack. The gate of the sheep fold was actually the shepherd. He would stand in the gap, only allowing the sheep to enter while keeping out any threat or danger. At night, the shepherd would sleep, laying across the opening. If a sheep tried to get out, it would awaken the shepherd and he would guide it back in. If a predator or thief tried to get at the sheep, the shepherd was there to repel the threat. He literally stood in the gap. If the shepherd failed to be the gate or if he was injured or killed in an attack, the sheep were doomed.
It is with this picture in mind that Jesus said, “I AM the gate!” For you and me, this attribute of the deity or Godness of Jesus is vitally important. Our primary benefit is that Jesus is the only means of access to the Father, he is the only way to enter the safety of the fold of eternity. Through an act of faith and repentance, Jesus willingly steps aside to allow us entrance into God’s family. Not only is there eternal safety in living behind the protection of Jesus as our Gate, but John tells us that once accepted into the fold of God, we “will come in and go out, and find pasture.” This is the promise of the provision of God for those he loves. This is clarified in verse 10 above where Jesus defines his purpose. “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The phrase, to the full, can also be translated as, in abundance. When safely in the Kingdom of God through Jesus, we have the promise that God’s gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are ours to enjoy.
Another benefit of Jesus as God is his offering of protection. Jesus stands in the gap between Satan and me. There is nothing Satan can do to me or can tempt me with that isn’t deflected by Jesus. It doesn’t mean my life is always perfect. God will allow struggle at times just to allow me to build character as I learn to depend on his power to get me through it.
When I was a child, we sang a song that went like this, “One door and only one and yet its sides are two. I’m on the inside, on which side are you?” This is not a question for a cute children’s song, it is an invitation to be accepted and protected by the I AM, the God of the universe.